After Breaking Up, I Married the Dying Tycoon in a Flash
Chapter 157: At the Celebration Banquet

Chapter 157: Chapter 157: At the Celebration Banquet

Zhuang Jie Ning looked around the entire room, her eyes settling on the photo album on the bed.

The album was of faded color, bearing the silent weight of passing time.

Something seemed to stir within Zhuang Jie Ning’s heart. She walked over, bent down, and picked up the album from the bed, opening it with mixed emotions.

The first picture was Bian Yue’s high school graduation photo.

Zhuang Jie Ning immediately spotted Bian Yue, and beside her stood herself, with a clear and clean smile.

Back then, everyone was still young. Although there were manipulations and scheming, there were also moments of sincere interactions.

Zhuang Jie Ning didn’t think that there were no real friendships between her and Bian Yue at that time.

It felt like time had instantly been drawn back to many years ago by this photo. Zhuang Jie Ning seemed to see Bian Yue standing on the playground, wearing a graduation gown with sunlight sprinkling on her face, as pure as the elevated moon.

She waved at herself, happily saying: "Jie Ning, let’s take a photo with Jiaojiao!"

How could this not be considered genuine interactions?

Each moment back then, even for Zhuang Jie Ning, was incredibly precious.

But hearts can’t stay young forever, the calculative measures and adult rivalries eventually swallow the youthful days.

Zhuang Jie Ning softly caressed the photo, briefly becoming lost in thought, then took the photo out.

She held it in her hand, scrutinizing it closely, then the sentimentality of youth gradually got replaced by anger.

"Bian Yue, why even after so many years, are you still the same as before?" Zhuang Jie Ning whispered bitterly in the silent room.

Why is it only her that’s ravaged by time, unable to find the past gaze and mindset?

She, filled with grief and anger, clenched the photo in her hand repeatedly.

She wanted to destroy this photo and completely sever ties with the 18-year-old Bian Yue.

"Zhuang Jie Ning!" It was Su Youxue, standing panic-stricken at the doorway, her expression one of terror, her face pale: "What are you doing!"

Zhuang Jie Ning was brought back to her senses by Su Youxue’s voice, holding the photo and walking towards Su Youxue with a sneering smile, "Miss Su is now in charge over me, huh? It seems Li Sihe really treats you well, giving you such audacity."

"This is Bian Yue’s room, and Mr. Li also mentioned that he doesn’t want anyone else to enter, Miss Zhuang, please leave," Su Youxue’s voice was steady, not showing any signs of agitation from Zhuang Jie Ning’s sarcastic remarks.

"Bian Yue’s room? Bian Yue is no longer in the Li Family, what belonging does she even have in the Li Family?" Zhuang Jie Ning scoffed coldly, confronting Su Youxue at the doorway, her eyes revealing mockery: "Can’t believe it, Miss Su, to gain Li Sihe’s favor, you even stooped to be Bian Yue’s lackey?"

"You are mistaken."

"Am I really?" Zhuang Jie Ning raised an eyebrow, "Aren’t you trying to please Li Sihe?"

"I don’t intend to please him, and I know whether or not I stand up today, Mr. Li won’t love me."

She spoke so calmly, Zhuang Jie Ning’s smile slightly faded, "So what?"

"I stopped Miss Zhuang merely because I wanted Mr. Li to be a bit happier. Whatever he wanted to protect, I tried my best to protect it for him," Su Youxue said with a clear and serene gaze, smiling gently. "Besides that, there’s nothing else."

The expression on Zhuang Jie Ning’s face was replaced by astonishment.

She stared blankly at Su Youxue, her hands unconsciously tightening around the photo. After a long while, she let out a cold laugh and slowly said, "Doing these things can only move yourself!"

"It doesn’t matter, I now feel that nothing else is important, Miss Zhuang. Life is short, and it is not easy to meet someone you like. If this is what Shiheng cares about, then I am willing to protect it well for him," Su Youxue extended her hand toward Zhuang Jie Ning. "Please give me the photo, Miss Zhuang."

Suddenly, Zhuang Jie Ning felt that everything was extraordinarily meaningless.

She never believed that true love was invincible, nor did she believe that someone would go through fire and water for love.

Everyone is realistically business-minded, so why has everyone slowly become a romantic? It makes her own methods seem extremely despicable.

Zhuang Jie Ning threw the photo on the ground, along with those memories she never wanted to relive.

"If you want it, pick it up yourself."

Su Youxue actually squatted down to pick up the photo.

Watching her willingly do so, Zhuang Jie Ning was utterly bewildered. She sneered slowly, "I heard that your new drama ’Beijixing’ and Bian Yue’s ’Shengshi Yan’ are going live on the same day. You still have the mind to help your rival, Su Youxue, I really admire you."

"My drama with Bian Yue is not broadcast on the same platform. At that time, each will have their own means; it’s just business."

Su Youxue slowly stood up, walked into the room, and carefully placed the photo. Her gaze paused slightly on Bian Yue’s face in the photo, "I don’t mind if Mr. Li has someone in his heart, I just want to be with him."

Zhuang Jie Ning’s face showed a range of expressions as she watched Su Youxue’s retreating figure, slowly shaking her head. The word ’naïve’ came out of her mouth without hesitation.

After speaking, without waiting for Su Youxue’s reaction, she turned and left.

The celebration for Bian Yue’s new drama was being held at the top floor of Xiangjiang Hotel. Opposite it, the celebration for Fengcheng Group’s ’Beijixing’ was happening concurrently.

Most of the well-known people in the industry had arrived; those who came for Bian Yue’s event and those who went to the opposite were almost split evenly.

Bian Yue had anticipated this situation. Meanwhile, anny sighed, wondering why Su Youxue was favored again.

Anny lamented as if from ancient times, Bian Yue helplessly said, "Don’t worry too much about other people’s affairs."

"What I care about is her regaining favor? No!" anny wailed, "What I care about is that our first major production has such a sharp rival!"

The celebration was solely managed by anny, who painstakingly put a lot of effort into it, even writing each invitation letter by hand. Only half the people showed up, which really made her frustrated to the point of spitting blood.

So, on the way to the celebration, Bian Yue, dressed in a brilliant red gown, touched up her makeup while joking, "We should award our Supervisor an extra bonus for writing so much."

"I definitely deserve a bonus, my hands are about to break!" anny pouted, her tone filled with sorrow, "Bian Yue, what do you think Feng Cheng is up to? Are they really planning to make Su Youxue a star with just one drama?"

"anny, relax, it’s not important," Bian Yue smiled, her demeanor calm, "We just need to do our part well, do our humanly best, and leave the rest to fate."

"President Bian, I really admire your attitude," anny said helplessly with a smile, "Haven’t you thought about, what if we fail? It would be so embarrassing in front of our peers, if Feng Cheng really wants to push hard, what do you plan to do?"

The car had already stopped in the hotel parking lot. Bian Yue got out of the car, smiling and turned to anny, "What’s the use of thinking so much? Let’s go, the celebration is about to start."